Centre invests ₹1.5 lakh crore in northeast India's physical, digital infra: Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani

Time of India

23-05-2025

NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has invested ₹1.5 lakh crore over the past 10 years in northeast India's physical and digital infrastructure under the '
Act East Policy
', Minister of State for Communications
Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
said on Friday.
'Over ₹1.5 lakh crore has been invested across digital and physical infrastructure in the region. Out of this ₹50,000 crore has gone specifically into
BharatNet
and the Digital North East Vision,' Pemmasani said in his keynote address at the
Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025
event.
The minister said that more than 90% of northeast India is now covered by 4G networks, while 80% of the rural households in the region are digitally connected via optical fibre cable.
'Modern IT parks are operational in Guwahati, Shillong, and Agartala, catalysing job creation and innovation. Hyperscale data centres, including Asia's largest, will be set up in Assam,' Pemmasani said.
The minister recalled that the government is providing a much-needed policy support, beyond infrastructure, to help industry establish in this region and tap the local talent pool.
'It has launched ambitious programs such as
Digital India
, Bharatnet, Startup India, National AI Strategy, 5G rollout to create a launchpad for industry in the region,' Pemmasani said.
'This synergy of centre-state collaboration, a hallmark of governance since 2014, is transforming the NER (northeast region) into a digital powerhouse,' the minister added, saying that the region is witnessing the convergence of policy, infrastructure and talent.
According to Pemmasani, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G is no longer theoretical in the Northeast, and the technologies are being deployed to solve real-life issues.
The minister said that in Andhra Pradesh, a 5G telemedicine network is facilitating real-time consultationsm, while in Tripura, the 'Bhashini' initiative is making governance accessible in 22 languages through real-time AI translation
Pemmasani stated optimistically that more can be done with AI, such as the digitisation of all government services, including land records, while 5G can support the delivery of global resources and virtual laboratories to students. 'At the same time, Kaziranga and Sikkim can offer immersive AR experiences, showcasing our beauty to millions through virtual tour,' he added.
Currently, India's top telecom incumbents --
Reliance Jio
and
Bharti Airtel
-- provide a nationwide coverage of fifth-generation (5G) networks.
Earlier in the day, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman & Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said at the event that Reliance Jio has already covered 90% of the population with over 5 million 5G subscribers in northeast India, and will double the number this year.
'Jio's priority will be to bring the revolutionary power of Artificial Intelligence to all schools, hospitals, enterprises and homes. When talent meets technology and competence meets connectivity, our North-East will surge ahead,' Ambani said, adding that Reliance has invested around ₹30,000 crore in the region in the past 40 years.
The oil-to-telecoms conglomerate, in the next five years, will more than double its investments in the northeast, with a target of ₹75,000 crore.